Detroit Lions wide receiver Titus Young celebrates his touchdown with wide receiver Calvin Johnson during the fourth quarter against the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome in November. The Vikings defeated the Lions 34-24. / Brace Hemmelgarn, USA TODAY Sports

by Carlos Monarrez, USA TODAY Sports

by Carlos Monarrez, USA TODAY Sports

Detroit Lions receiver Calvin Johnson met with reporters today in Allen Park and talked about the team's off-season program. He spoke of his goals this year and even laughed about his polite and political description of the team's need to score more touchdowns.

But toward the end of his interview, when he was asked about former teammate Titus Young, Johnson spoke quietly.

Young's life has been spiraling out of control lately. He was arrested three times in a week recently in California, and ex-teammates are learning of Young's mental issues.

"It's very tough," Johnson said. "We were talking earlier, man. It's just one of those things that we pray that he can get his off-the-field situation straight so then he can move forward with his life."

For two seasons, Johnson sat a few feet away from Young in the locker room. The Lions assign lockers to young players in proximity to established veterans. Now Johnson and Young seem miles apart in the paths their lives have taken.

"You can never foresee things like this," Johnson said of Young's troubles. "And like I say, we just wish him the best, man. It's unfortunate what he's going through. But like I said, we're praying for him."